Wine CountryThe Santa Maria Valley Wine Region & AVASanta Maria Valley Wineries & WinemakersA Guide to Wine Tasting in Santa Maria ValleySanta Maria Wine VarietalsSanta Maria Wine TrolleyFoxen Canyon Wine Trail$500 3-Day Getaway Book A Room Everything you need to know about wine tasting in the Santa Maria Valley. It’s no secret that California’s Central Coast is a world-renowned wine-growing region. The unique geography of the Santa Maria Valley pairs perfectly with the temperate Central Coast weather. This dynamic duo produces a Mediterranean climate that allows wine grapes to spend extra time on the vine developing complex and unique flavor profiles. The result is universally loved and easy-to-pair Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah. Read on for our favorite ways to taste your way through more than 30 winery tasting rooms in Santa Maria Valley wine country. Hop on the Santa Maria Valley Wine Trolley The award-winning Santa Maria Valley Wine Trolley runs a route to some of the region’s most popular wineries every weekend from May to October. The trolley route begins in Old Town Orcutt, near the CORE Winery Tasting Room, Naughty Oak Brewing Company, Blast 825 Brewery and Vino et Amicis, as well as many dining establishments. The trolley makes stops at Presqu’ile Winery, Cottonwood Canyon Winery and Costa de Oro Winery. The route takes about an hour, and your ticket allows you to step on and off the trolley at your leisure all day. You can buy tickets for the Wine Trolley at several wineries and other venues in Santa Maria and Orcutt. Check here for more information. Explore the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail The Foxen Canyon Wine Trail is a 30-mile stretch of road between Santa Maria and Los Olivos that’s host to 14 wineries. While visiting any of the wineries on the trail, you’ll be rewarded with delicious wines and stunning views of vineyard-lined roads and hillsides shrouded in fog. You can cruise the trail in your car but be sure to have a designated driver. You can finish your Foxen Canyon trip in Old Town Orcutt where you can have dinner and a celebratory glass (or two!) of wine. Take a Guided Cycling Tour If you bring a bike to the valley, you can take a cycling tour of the region guided by local winemaker, winery owner and former semi-pro cyclist, Dave Corey. Dave owns CORE Winery, and he started the Bike & Bottle Project to provide guided cycling tours for locals and tourists alike. Dave’s in-depth knowledge of the region allows you to customize each tour based on distance, elevation and difficulty. Wine Taste for Less The Santa Maria Valley boasts some of the best wine on the Central Coast and the second-oldest AVA in California. But one of the best parts about our valley is that you can see and do more. You can take a wine weekend getaway for two people for $500 or less. Be sure to bring your hotel key card with you when you go wine tasting, because if you show it at participating wineries—including Cambria Estate Vineyard and Winery, Cottonwood Canyon Winery, Riverbench Vineyard & Winery and others—you can receive a tasting for free!
Central West Produce Family-grown on the Central Coast since 1979, Central West Produce grows some of the area’s finest berries including strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries, or what they call a “berry triple threat”.
Bedford Winery A winery for the adventurous that seek the uncommon, value authenticity, and are captivated by character. Along with barrel fermented Chardonnays and signature Syrahs, there is always the surprise of lesser known varietals such as Mourvèdre, Cabernet Franc, or a dry Gewürztraminer to ponder. Take the path less traveled and enjoy the ultimate wine experience […]
Demetria Estate Along a stretched, private driveway sits The Demetria Estate Winery, offering daily tastings by appointment only. With a beautiful picnic area and principal varietals including Chardonnay, Cinsaut, Counoise, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Mourvedre, Pinot Noir, Rousanne, Syrah, Tempranillo, Riesling, Viognier, Picpoul Blanc, this is a wonderful way to spend the afternoon tasting some of the […]
Betteravia Gallery North & Betteravia Gallery South Locals and visitors alike who want to take home a piece of original (and often affordable!) art may choose from a range of media at the Betteravia Gallery North and Betteravia Gallery South. These cooperative art galleries are located at 511 E. Lakeside Parkway in the Joseph Centeno Betteravia Government Center in Santa Maria. The […]
June 11 Santa Maria Downtown Fridays 2021 Downtown Fridays are Back! This family-friendly event for Santa Maria’s downtown will occur every Friday beginning on May 28th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Town Center West parking lot near Broadway (Highway 135) and Cook Street, all the way to October 29th, weather permitting. Admission and parking are free. There will be live […]
June 18 Santa Maria Downtown Fridays 2021 Downtown Fridays are Back! This family-friendly event for Santa Maria’s downtown will occur every Friday beginning on May 28th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Town Center West parking lot near Broadway (Highway 135) and Cook Street, all the way to October 29th, weather permitting. Admission and parking are free. There will be live […]
June 25 Santa Maria Downtown Fridays 2021 Downtown Fridays are Back! This family-friendly event for Santa Maria’s downtown will occur every Friday beginning on May 28th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Town Center West parking lot near Broadway (Highway 135) and Cook Street, all the way to October 29th, weather permitting. Admission and parking are free. There will be live […]
July 02 Old Orcutt's First Friday Come out and enjoy an evening in Old Orcutt. Merchants stay open late on the first Friday of the month. Drink, food, and shopping specials.